Latest news with #SchoolandMassEducation
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Health
- New Indian Express
Covid precautions to be followed in schools after vacation: Odisha SME minister
BHUBANESWAR: The School and Mass Education (SME) department is keeping a close watch on the Covid situation and will follow appropriate precautions as per the advisory of the Health and Family Welfare department, once the schools reopen. Informing this on Thursday, SME minister Nityananda Gond asked citizens to remain alert in view of the rising Covid-19 cases. 'The government is giving top priority to the health and safety of all,' he said, asking people not to panic. The minister further informed that teachers and students would be sensitised on Covid-19 and asked to properly follow precautionary measures, if any, issued by the Health Department. 'As students will go to schools and attend classes together, it is important for them to be careful about Covid. Those with cold symptoms may need to wear mask as a precautionary measure, while those with acute health issues may be advised to remain at home. We will strictly follow the guidelines of the Health department for the safety of students and teachers,' he said. SME officials said schools across the state will reopen after summer vacation ends on June 18. However, as more than 75 lakh students are expected to resume classes after the vacation, department officials said adequate precautionary measures need to be followed to ensure the students and teachers remain safe and education of the children is not hampered. The state has already started witnessing a gradual spike in new Covid cases this season. As per sources in the Health department, the Covid-19 tally has already jumped to 23 following detection of eight new cases on Monday and Tuesday. Keeping in view the increasing number of cases, the ICMR has also urged people with comorbidities and elderly persons to remain alert and follow Covid safety protocol.
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Odisha to train school, college students on emerging technologies, cybersecurity
BHUBANESWAR: The state government has planned to organise special camps for students on emerging technologies and cybersecurity to help them explore career opportunities in advanced fields and sensitise them on safe online practices and data protection. Sources said Odisha Computer Application Centre (OCAC), the technical directorate of the Electronics and IT department, will collaborate with the School and Mass Education (SME) and Higher Education departments for the purpose. OCAC will also rope in an expert agency to organise the training camps at school and college level. An official from OCAC said though emerging fields like artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR), data science, and cybersecurity are redefining career landscape and creating new employment opportunities, a considerable gap pertaining to awareness and preparedness among students regarding these advancements and their career prospects still exists in the state.
Hans India
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
MPs, MLAs given powers to recommend teacher transfers
Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has authorised elected representatives in the State to recommend the transfer of up to 15 primary and secondary school teachers within their respective constituencies, informed by a notification issued by the School and Mass Education(S&ME) department on Tuesday. 'Government after careful consideration have been pleased to give discretion to Hon'ble MPs/MLAs to recommend up to 15 most deserving cases of transfer of teachers (that shall include both Elementary & Secondary) pertaining to their constituency area, to the Collector concerned of the district, for disposal of the same by the District Level Transfer Committee (DLTC) during this transfer session,' reads the notification. However, the State government has laid down certain conditions for the Members of the Legislative Assembly and Members of Parliament. As per the S&ME department notification, the recommendation should not violate the principle of rationalisation. It also clarified that priority should be given to the teachers with an urgent need. The government has barred the transfer of teachers from rural areas to urban areas. The government also noted that the elected representatives can only propose the transfer of teachers within the same district. 'This discretion is applicable for intra-district transfer only. The proposals of the Hon'ble MPs/MLAs are to be submitted to the District Collector concerned and will be disposed of by the DLTC. Where the Parliamentary Constituency (PC) covers more than one district, the proposals will be submitted to the Nodal Collector (Returning Officer of that PC) under intimation to the other Collectors within the jurisdiction of that PC for disposal by respective DLTC(s),' added the notification. Meanwhile, the Rajya Sabha members have been suggested to send their list of recommendations to the Director of Secondary Education under intimation to the Director of Elementary Education, which will forward the list to the respective Collectors under intimation to the DEE for disposal of the same by the DLTC(s). The Odisha government also directed that all the proposals should be submitted and disposed of during this transfer session (15th May to 15th June) only. The government notified that this provision is a one-time measure, which is applicable only for the current educational year. A similar notification was issued by the previous BJD-led government in 2021, allowing the elected representatives to recommend the transfer of up to 10 primary and secondary school teachers within their respective constituencies during the 2021-2022 academic session.
New Indian Express
10-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Governor urges scouts, guides to focus on nation building
BHUBANESWAR: Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday called upon members of the scouts and guides to become torchbearers of a brighter future. The nation needs their dedication, discipline, and values now more than ever, he said. Addressing the Rajya Puraskar ceremony of Odisha State Bharat Scouts and Guides at the Raj Bhavan here, he praised the scouts and guides movement for nurturing responsible citizens through service, self-reliance, and moral integrity. 'The Rajya Puraskar is not the end of your journey, it is a milestone,' the Governor said, urging the young members to carry forward the values of kindness, honesty, and leadership in all their actions. As the chief patron of the Odisha State Bharat Scouts and Guides, the Governor expressed pride in the organisation's accomplishments and its strong presence even in remote areas of the state. He commended the Odisha branch for winning several national level awards. Members of the Odisha State Bharat Scouts and Guides were awarded in eight different categories during the event. On the occasion, eminent linguist Devi Prasanna Pattnaik was honoured with the Utkal Jyoti Samman by the Governor. First Lady Jayshree Kambhampati, School and Mass Education minister Nityananda Gond and minister of Higher Education Suryabanshi Suraj were present.
